Dexter King talks change on the 45th anniversary of dad's assassination

Dexter King

ATLANTA (CBS46) -

Dexter King is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s youngest son. He was at the King Center on business Thursday while others were there to pay tribute on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination.

Dexter King spoke only to CBS Atlanta when he reflected on the changes in America since his father's death.

"We have our first African American president. We have strides towards equality."

Dexter King said he is proud of his father's accomplishments.

"I know that he was a man of hope, he was a man with aspiration and self-empowerment. It really wasn't about him as much it was about values, principles and morality," said Dexter King.

Martin Luther King was shot and killed by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN, on April 4, 1968.

The King Center was a must-see for Callie Rossi and her family. They were in town from Scotland.

"We knew it was a memorial today so we thought we would come to the King Center. I didn't realize it was going to be so big," said Rossi.

Rossi, along with her mom and sister, also stopped in Memphis to visit the Lorrain Motel where Martin Luther King was shot and killed.

"When I was in school, that was one of the main things we learned about in history, so everyone knows about it. I feel like I'm learning more just being here," said Rossi.

Emily Karn, 12, and her family are from Richmond, VA. The King Center was a must-see during her spring break.

"We learned about Dr. King in school, but they didn't tell us how violent some of the marches really were and the fact that he continued, is pretty awesome," said Karn. "The police dogs that attacked people, I didn't know about those."

Karn and Rossi participated in a wreath-laying ceremony put on by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization Martin Luther King once led.

Dr. C.T. Vivian, who once marched with Martin Luther King, spoke during the ceremony.

"The nation is facing an understanding that Martin King is not dead. We see his grave, but he is a prophet of the age. He will penetrate every thought, every attitude that we have that will keep us a democratic nation," said Vivian.